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The first tray presented to me was covered with various brands of cigarette packs, each smoke neatly pulled halfway out of its box for display. Next up were bowls of ice cream, nuts, Turkish coffee, a round of tea, and finally a two-layer tray of sweets. I had already been served a large meal. It…

“I never asked you to follow me!” I yelled in French. “You were lost!” the young man shot back. “No I wasn’t! I knew how to get here.” “You still have to pay me!” “No I don’t – I didn’t want your help!” I huffed into La Maison de la Photographie, slamming the door on…

I knelt behind a line of seven women in hijabs and long jackets. They were my mother’s and grandmother’s ages, except for two teenagers. Turning to stare at me with black-rimmed eyes, the girls gave me a once-over before returning to face the direction of Makkah (“Mecca”). I was in the conservative city of Konya…

I was always complimented on my eating habits: “How do you eat so healthy? I see a bag of chips and have to eat them all!” “You’re so good” and “You’re like the master of eating well.” My preoccupation with healthy food was noticeable and acknowledged, sometimes with jealousy. The problem was, I wasn’t “so…

In some countries I’ve travelled to, I’ve found it difficult to connect with women. They are sometimes less visible and less free to be in public spaces mingling with tourists. This frustrates me. In countries where the genders are quite segregated, I find it especially difficult to meet women. Yet it is in these regions…

I met Amanda while staying in Bozburun, a town on the southwest coast of Turkey. I was renting an apartment there and she was staying in the adjacent room – connected by a shared balcony overlooking the Mediterranean. I was there for six weeks writing my masters dissertation; she was there after quitting her job…

A few weeks ago, my friend Colleen Friesen wrote a blog post about the Syrian refugee crises and her experiences travelling to Syria in 1998. In her article she asks the question: “What do you think we’d do if a truck load of Syrians showed up on our street?” I’ve been asking myself something similar…

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Meet Lori Henry

I’ve worked as a travel writer since 2003 and my work can be found in publications all over the world, as well as on this blog. I am now transitioning into a new career and am studying towards my MSc Occupational Therapy degree in the UK. Learn more.